Police at Brighton and Hove CID are linking a string of knifepoint robberies at off-licences over Christmas.

In a three-day crime spree spanning December 22, 23 and Christmas Eve, the man twice escaped with cash.

Detective Constable Graham Mepham, investigating, said: "We are linking these three robberies because the descriptions and what the offender does is so similar."

During one of the Brighton robberies, the offender threatened a terrified 29-year-old shop assistant and ordered him to hand over cash.

The assistant believed the man had a knife in his pocket when he robbed Thresher in Lewes Road, Brighton, on Sunday, December 22, at 5pm.

He took the contents of both tills and disappeared off towards Hartington Road.

Unwins in Rock Street was the target of an attempted robbery on December 23 at 8.40pm, when the man fled empty-handed after the female assistant refused to comply. The following day he targeted Unwins in Dyke Road and stole the contents of the till.

In both Unwins robberies the man approached lone female members of staff. He produced a knife, six to eight inches long, and demanded cash.

On all occasions the man was described as aged between 38 and 42, gaunt-looking, with weathered features, dark hair with grey flecks, wearing a woollen beanie hat.

DC Mepham can be contacted at Brighton police station on 0845 60 70 999 or you can call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.